What is Forex Trading?
Forex trading can be an excellent source of supplementary income for people who understand the market and are comfortable with the trading platforms. Here's more...
Cross Rate: In the Forex market, currencies are always quoted in pairs. For example .709471 EUR/USD means that 1$ = 0.709471 Euros. When USD is not one of the currencies whose exchange rate is being determined, the exchange rate is referred to as the cross rate.
pip: The smallest price movement in a currency is called a pip (percentage in point). Profits are measured in terms of pips. For the EUR/USD pair, 1 pip = 0.0001. Hence if EUR/USD increases by 1%, it would mean an increase of 100 pips.
Bid-Ask Spread: The difference between the bid (trader's sale price or the dealer's cost price) and the ask (trader's cost price or the dealer's sale price) is called the spread. The bid and ask are quoted in pairs. For example .709474-71 EUR/USD would mean that 0.709474 is the bid price and 0.709471 is the ask price. Market makers quote both bid and ask prices, and profit from the bid ask spread.
Spot and Forward Rate: Spot rate is the price of a currency in the spot market. Forward rate is the predetermined rate at which a currency can be exchanged for another in the forward market.
Market Participants
Governments and Banks: Governments and central banks of various countries deal in the Forex market with the intention of maintaining their foreign exchange reserves. Many a time, governments buy and sell currency with the intention of achieving a favorable balance of payment (BOP) situation. For instance, if a country is interested in increasing its exports, it might sell its currency. This would increase the supply of the currency. An increase in supply would result in currency depreciation. Once the currency depreciates, exports increase; making the current account balance favorable and the BOP satisfactory. Since governments and central banks have unlimited authority and access to money, they can exercise significant influence on the direction of the market.
Business Firms: Firms deal in the Forex market mainly to hedge against unfavorable exchange rate movements. For example, a firm in the U.S. engaged in the business of supplying corn to Europe would receive payments in Euros. Suppose Euro depreciates, the U.S. based firm would suffer. This is because, the firm can now buy fewer dollars with the euros. In order to avoid this situation, the firm can enter into a futures contract to lock in a favorable rate at which Euros can be exchanged for dollars. This process is known as hedging.
Banks and Financial Institutions: Banks and other financial institutions also participate in the Forex market. Banks profit from the bid-ask spread. They deal in a particular segment of the market known as the interbank market. In this market, banks who have credit relations with each other indulge in trading currencies. The size of the bank in monetary terms would determine its credit relation and its importance in the interbank market. Individuals who need to exchange currency can approach their local banks.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/forex-trading-what-is-forex.html
Forex trading can be an excellent source of supplementary income for people who understand the market and are comfortable with the trading platforms. Here's more...
Cross Rate: In the Forex market, currencies are always quoted in pairs. For example .709471 EUR/USD means that 1$ = 0.709471 Euros. When USD is not one of the currencies whose exchange rate is being determined, the exchange rate is referred to as the cross rate.
pip: The smallest price movement in a currency is called a pip (percentage in point). Profits are measured in terms of pips. For the EUR/USD pair, 1 pip = 0.0001. Hence if EUR/USD increases by 1%, it would mean an increase of 100 pips.
Bid-Ask Spread: The difference between the bid (trader's sale price or the dealer's cost price) and the ask (trader's cost price or the dealer's sale price) is called the spread. The bid and ask are quoted in pairs. For example .709474-71 EUR/USD would mean that 0.709474 is the bid price and 0.709471 is the ask price. Market makers quote both bid and ask prices, and profit from the bid ask spread.
Spot and Forward Rate: Spot rate is the price of a currency in the spot market. Forward rate is the predetermined rate at which a currency can be exchanged for another in the forward market.
Market Participants
Governments and Banks: Governments and central banks of various countries deal in the Forex market with the intention of maintaining their foreign exchange reserves. Many a time, governments buy and sell currency with the intention of achieving a favorable balance of payment (BOP) situation. For instance, if a country is interested in increasing its exports, it might sell its currency. This would increase the supply of the currency. An increase in supply would result in currency depreciation. Once the currency depreciates, exports increase; making the current account balance favorable and the BOP satisfactory. Since governments and central banks have unlimited authority and access to money, they can exercise significant influence on the direction of the market.
Business Firms: Firms deal in the Forex market mainly to hedge against unfavorable exchange rate movements. For example, a firm in the U.S. engaged in the business of supplying corn to Europe would receive payments in Euros. Suppose Euro depreciates, the U.S. based firm would suffer. This is because, the firm can now buy fewer dollars with the euros. In order to avoid this situation, the firm can enter into a futures contract to lock in a favorable rate at which Euros can be exchanged for dollars. This process is known as hedging.
Banks and Financial Institutions: Banks and other financial institutions also participate in the Forex market. Banks profit from the bid-ask spread. They deal in a particular segment of the market known as the interbank market. In this market, banks who have credit relations with each other indulge in trading currencies. The size of the bank in monetary terms would determine its credit relation and its importance in the interbank market. Individuals who need to exchange currency can approach their local banks.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/forex-trading-what-is-forex.html
